I've noticied a reoccuring situation whereby a Team has been losing by more than a run and the Pitcher has been allowed to bat.  What gives?

A lot of factors could be influencing the decision to let the pitcher hit for himself. 

What's the PH setting? 
What's the pitcher's pull setting? (Admin confirmed that this matters in judging whether there will be a PH'er for a pitcher.)
How close is the pitcher to his pitch count max? 
What are the pitcher's real life batting stats?  
What are the batting stats of the available PH'ers? 
How far behind is the losing team (is it a blowout)?

I would also think how many relievers are available in the bullpen (above their rest settings) would also affect if you would PH for a pitcher (especially one that isn't near his total/max pitch count).

Thanks stengel/gamer-but it seems that, the most important factor in all of this, is,-is the Pitcher's Team winning or losing when the 7th ing rolls around?  Or am I wrong and if the Pitcher's Team is winning or losing does indeed have a bearing, on the Pitcher being pulled for a hitter?

It has a bearing, but the engine's not going to override your settings (at least it's not supposed to).  If your PH setting is 0 or 1, you'll almost never see a PH'er, regardless of the score; if your pitcher has a pull setting of 1, and he's not near his PC, he probably won't be removed.

If you want your pitchers to be PH for in situations like you described above, I'd recommend you keep your PH/pull settings at a minimum of 3, and of course make sure you've got PH checked next to your pitcher's name in Advanced Settings.

I agree with everything crazystengel has said.  I'd reiterate that one of the most important variables here is whether you have a rested pitcher whose settings allow him to come into the game in the following 1/2-inning.  If not, it's quite likely that your pitcher will not be PH for, regardless of your PH settings, unless he has reached his MPC.

But if I Monkey Around with the PH Settings, by making them 3's, maybe I'll get that 7th ing Pinch Hitter, but isn't the Pitcher going to get a quicker Hook by Sparky when the Pitcher struggles on the Mound?

I'm not sure I understand what is being said concerning "Advanced" settings.  The way I see it you can control (0-5) for a Sac. and (0-5) for Base Stealing for your pitchers, other than that you can only "check" on not "check" the PH and PR options.  If you "un-check" PH your pitcher will never be pulled for for a PH'er, same for PR'er, am I wrong in this assumption? If not, how can you really control or influence Sparky's decision to allow your pitcher to hit or PH for him?

Team Managerial Settings has a "Pinch Hit" setting.

That setting includes pitchers? I thought it was for your everyday lineup only; or is it aimed specifically for your pitchers?

I think it's for every player, but due to most pitchers' weak batting stats it mainly concerns them.

Posted by crazystengel on 2/17/2011 10:54:00 PM (view original):
I think it's for every player, but due to most pitchers' weak batting stats it mainly concerns them.

yes

I see, OK thanks,,,,,,